House Dems Welcome Outdoor Retailer Back to Colorado

(July 23) – This January, House Democrats welcomed the Outdoor Retailer show to Colorado and today they welcome them back for the Summer Market. The organizers of the Outdoor Retailer show moved the event from Salt Lake City to Denver in recognition of Colorado’s strong support for the outdoor recreation industry, its forward-thinking conservation policies and its commitment to public lands.

This session, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango and Rep. Faith Winter, D-Westminster sponsored a resolution celebrating the Outdoor Retailer expo coming to Colorado and urging that Colorado “continue its support for the state’s thriving outdoor industry and the many benefits the outdoor industry affords this state” and “continue its legacy of funding and expanding access to public lands.”

“The Outdoor Retailer show coming to our state is proof that working to preserve our environment and encouraging outdoor recreation will yield strong economic benefits on the Western Slope and across our state for years to come,” said Rep. McLachlan.

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is North America’s largest tradeshow in the outdoor industry.

“The outdoor industry is an economic engine in Colorado so it’s no surprise the Outdoor Retailer show chose our state,” said Rep. Winter. “I will continue to stand up for our public lands to ensure they are protected for the enjoyment of all Coloradans.”

This session, Rep. Winter also sponsored HB18-1291 which ensures the continuation of the conservation easement oversight commission. Conservation easements protect 1.8 million acres of agricultural land, 2.5 million acres of wildlife habitat, and supports more than 388,000 jobs.

“The Outdoor Retailer show is one of many tangible rewards for our forward-thinking conservation policies and commitment to public lands,” said Speaker Crisanta Duran, D-Denver. “We must continue working to protect and enhance our Colorado way of life.”

Under Speaker Duran’s leadership, the House passed legislation recognizing the importance of public lands, to prepare for the impacts of climate change and protect Colorado’s waterways.

“Outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of our Colorado way of life so I’m glad to welcome the Outdoor Retailer show back this summer,” said Majority Leader KC Becker, D-Boulder. “It’s imperative that we protect our open spaces, rivers and mountains from the growing threat of climate change and special interests.”

Majority Leader Becker sponsored a bill in 2016 to annually designate the third Saturday in May as “Public Lands Day” in Colorado.

Nearly a third of Coloradans engage in outdoor recreation, which generates $28 billion in annual consumer spending and provides jobs to 229,000 Coloradans. The Denver show begins on July 23 at the Colorado Convention Center.